THE AQUARIUM BUILDING
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expansion and contraction, for example by framing
the front of the tank with angle iron and permitting
the glass to bear against this frame.
CONCRETE tanks: Concrete tanks can be constructed in a variety of sizes and shapes but in general
they are more satisfactory as large (200 gallons and
up) tanks. Even for this use they do not offer the
flexibility of metal tanks or the wooden tanks mentioned below. Concrete for tanks should be one part
Portland cement, two parts sand, and three parts
gravel (% inch). The cement should be tamped or
vibrated thoroughly to insure a tight, compact structure. After the concrete has cured, the inside of the
tanks may be painted with two coats of epoxy swimming-pool paint. (This type of paint comes with the
paint and catalyst in separate containers.)
If the concrete has been trowled to a slick finish,
prior to painting it should be etched with a solution of
one quart of muriactic acid to one gallon of water and
then washed and permitted to dry. Asphalt paint is
also used, but in the author's experience is not as satisfactory as the above treatment and the black finish is
not always desirable.
WOODEN TANKS: Highly serviceable tanks of a
variety of sizes and designs can be made of marine
plywood. This type of tank can be made with one side
of glass if a wooden or metal cleat is installed around
one side and a metal reinforcing rod across the top of
the open side. The tank, including the cleat, should
be coated on the inside with fiber glass, and the glass
side can then be installed with aquarium cement. The
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expansion and contraction, for example by framing
the front of the tank with angle iron and permitting
the glass to bear against this frame.
CONCRETE tanks: Concrete tanks can be constructed in a variety of sizes and shapes but in general
they are more satisfactory as large (200 gallons and
up) tanks. Even for this use they do not offer the
flexibility of metal tanks or the wooden tanks mentioned below. Concrete for tanks should be one part
Portland cement, two parts sand, and three parts
gravel (% inch). The cement should be tamped or
vibrated thoroughly to insure a tight, compact structure. After the concrete has cured, the inside of the
tanks may be painted with two coats of epoxy swimming-pool paint. (This type of paint comes with the
paint and catalyst in separate containers.)
If the concrete has been trowled to a slick finish,
prior to painting it should be etched with a solution of
one quart of muriactic acid to one gallon of water and
then washed and permitted to dry. Asphalt paint is
also used, but in the author's experience is not as satisfactory as the above treatment and the black finish is
not always desirable.
WOODEN TANKS: Highly serviceable tanks of a
variety of sizes and designs can be made of marine
plywood. This type of tank can be made with one side
of glass if a wooden or metal cleat is installed around
one side and a metal reinforcing rod across the top of
the open side. The tank, including the cleat, should
be coated on the inside with fiber glass, and the glass
side can then be installed with aquarium cement. The